What's in my CD changer: The Power Station

The blog's had an "irregular pulse" again for a bit, thanks to its creator starting another new job out in the "real world" and preparing to do it over the last couple of weeks.  That means another change of pace, more adjustments to be made time-wise.

I changed all the discs in my 10-CD changer a couple of weeks ago too, about the time the new job was offered to me.  One of the discs I put in was from that '80s supergroup The Power Station -- made up of Chic drummer Tony Thompson, Duran Duran's bass player (John Taylor) and guitar player (Andy Taylor), capped off by the singing of blue-eyed soul and rock vocalist Robert Palmer.

It was a group that rocked my world when it made its debut, despite the fact that I wasn't a big fan of Duran Duran.  But I did like Palmer's singing, Thompson's powerful drumming style was all good to my ears, and the Taylors sounded even better to me when they were away from Duran Duran..

I've been going through those discs in my CD changer as I've been making the rounds getting ready for the new job.  I'll be taking advantage of what mass transit has to offer, especially with a new light rail system about to open with a station just a couple of blocks away from my new office.  As fate would have it, that new station has a name that fits what's included in my CD changer these days.

Power Station.

Get it on!

Coming Back With Grammys Week: Pop, R and B, etc.

I go for a good pop song as much as anyone, as long as it's got some originality, creativity, and artistry to it.  Cookie-cutter music doesn't quite cut it for me.

The same goes for R&B, soul, dance, all the rest.

I can be tough to please when it comes to music.

But I'd be raked over the coals if I went through this week in which I give some attention to the 2013 Grammy Award winners without paying some attention to those genres as well.  I'm still picky.

You'll just have to bear with me while I check out ...

Pop solo performance: "Set Fire to the Rain (Live)," Adele.
Pop vocal album: "Stronger," Kelly Clarkson.
R&B performance: "Climax," Usher.
Traditional R&B performance: "Love on Top," Beyonce.
R&B song: "Adorn," Miguel Pimentel.
R&B album: "Black Radio," Robert Glasper Experiment.
Dance recording: "Bangarang," Skrillex featuring Sirah.
Dance/electronica album: "Bangarang," Skrillex.
Latin pop album: "MTV Unplugged Deluxe Edition," Juanes.
Latin rock, urban or alternative album: "Imaginares," Quetzal.
Reggae album: "Rebirth," Jimmy Cliff.
Traditional pop vocal album: "Kisses on the Bottom," Paul McCartney.